Man arrested for firing flare gun at another man

Two men who live on board boats in Boot Key Harbor got into a dispute just before 5 p.m. Saturday. In front of witnesses on neighboring boats, one of the men fired a flare gun at the other man as the dispute escalated.

The witnesses say the two men, whose boats are anchored about 50 feet apart, have had disputes in the past. They said on this occasion they began yelling at each other from their respective vessels. 58 year old Argelio Soto then picked up a flare gun, firing it at the victim.

Deputy Vince Weiner and officers from Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission went to Soto’s boat. Soto, who reportedly appeared to be intoxicated, told them the dispute was because he believes the victim came onto his boat earlier without permission. He admitted to firing the flare gun at the victim, and said if he’d had more flares he would have fired more times. He told Deputy Weiner he “is not afraid to kill”.

Soto was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a weapon. He was booked into jail.